We can all agree that the plunger is gross; figuring out what to do with it after clearing a clogged toilet is another matter.
You know what I am talking about, you plunge your toilet and then look at the plunger afterward and wonder: “Do I just put it on the floor and hope the germs on it die on their own? Should I rinse it in the tub or sink and hope the germs aren’t transferred there?” Suffice it to say, regardless of what you do, the traditional plunger is a germ spreader.
But does it have to be that way?
That’s not what longtime Arlington resident and Schoon™ inventor Elaine Steele thinks!
The idea for Schoon came to Elaine one morning in January 2020 after plunging yet another clog in her bathroom in her old house in Arlington. A search of the internet for a plunger that has a way to clean itself yielded no results. After an exhaustive search of the Patent and Trademark site to find an invention that solves this problem, she found that there were none. Elaine realized that a self-cleaning plunger did not exist.
Elaine approached her longtime friend, Pierre, about the idea of a self-cleaning plunger. Being a germaphobe, he was intrigued, and the two started collaborating on the idea that February. Several designs, a few prototypes, lots of testing, and a patent application later, Schoon was born!
Making Schoon a reality required more elbow grease! Researching and dealing with several manufacturers, part suppliers, and assembly vendors to get a quality product at the right price point was a long journey.
So how does Schoon work? After unclogging your toilet, Schoon allows you to use the included wand to spray disinfectant over the top and the underneath of the plunger cup, cleaning the plunger immediately after use. You can also use Schoon to disinfect the toilet and surrounding area. Elaine says, “Pierre and I intentionally created a sleek design, so that you can leave your Schoon out and at the ready for use when you need it.”
Since its launch this February, Schoon has been selling across the US with orders delivered in 17 states. Schoon has also been spotted at several hygiene focused restaurants in the DMV area.
Schoon is available for purchase at www.theschoon.com for immediate delivery, as well as the following local hardware stores:
- Cherrydale Hardware in Arlington
- Ayers Hardware in Arlington
- McLean Hardware in McLean
- Ace Hardware in Fairfax
- Logan Ace Hardware on 14th Street, NW in D.C.
- Tenleytown Ace Hardware on Wisconsin Avenue, NW in D.C.
- Frager’s Ace Hardware on Pennsylvania, SE in D.C.
To learn more about Schoon, visit www.theschoon.com. Follow Schoon on Facebook and Instagram.
Schoon is a Trademark of ESPM, LLC. Patent number 11808021. Additional Patents Pending.
